Useful Links

Council for Exceptional Children: The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities and/or the gifted.

TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm.

The Association for Positive Behavior Support is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of positive behavior support.  APBS strives to expand application of this approach with children, adolescents and adults with problem behavior.

The Association is made up of professionals, family members, trainers, consumers, researchers and administrators who are involved and interested in PBS.  APBS, as a unifying home for these individuals from various communities and backgrounds, is a multidisciplinary association seeking members from all fields with interests in behavior support. 

Phi Delta Kappa: Professional organization who’s journal highlights articles and research of interest to professionals whether they are teacher or administrators.  It promotes the enhancement and betterment of public education. 

Illinois Principals Association:  Professional principals organization in Illinois, which is an advocate for the advancement of learning through effective educational leadership. 

National Association of Elementary School Principals:  Professional organization, which leads advocacy and support for elementary and middle level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children. 

Illinois Teachers of ESOL & Bilingual Education (Illinois TESOL-BE) is  a non-profit professional organization of individuals involved in professional development, legislation, government issues and special interest groups for the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and bilingual education. Illinois TESOL-BE's purpose is to further the development of pedagogically sound, socially responsible teaching and administrative practices.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD): A community of educators advocating sound policies and sharing best practices to achieve the success of each learner. Shifting the dialogue from schooling to learning, the goal is to reframe the definition of education and the role of educators. ASCD is a worldwide community of educators who serve as trusted voices influencing policy and practice in support of the whole child; and believe that schools should focus on developing students who are academically proficient, physically and emotionally healthy, respectful, responsible and caring.  (© 2006 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) 

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – “Promoting Excellence in Early Childhood Education” is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization. 

Child Care Information Exchange promotes the exchange of ideas among leaders in early childhood programs worldwide through its magazine, books, training products, training seminars and international conferences. 

International Reading Association (IRA) – “A Membership Organization of Literacy Professionals”:  Founded in 1956 as a professional organization for those involved in teaching reading to learners of all ages and are dedicated to promoting high levels of literacy for all by:

  • Improving the quality of reading instruction
  • Disseminating research and information about reading 
  • Encouraging the lifetime reading habit

Whether the interest is research or practice, traditional print-based reading and writing or the “new literacies” of the Internet age, new readers or those acquiring higher level skills, IRA offers something for everyone.

Locally, nationally, and worldwide, this organization advocates for policy, curriculum, and education reform that supports the best interests of teachers and learners.  IRA’s international initiatives encourage communication and collaboration among professionals across national boundaries. (© 1996–2006 International Reading Association)

National Middle School Association (NMSA) is dedicated to improving the educational experiences of young adolescents by providing vision, knowledge and resources to all who serve them in order to develop healthy, productive, and ethical citizens.

American Educational Research Association (AERA):  A national research society, that strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

Alliance for Excellent Education:  Their mission is to promote high school transformation to make it possible for every child to graduate prepared for postsecondary education and success in life.

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Since 1911, NCTE has provided a forum for the profession, an array of opportunities for teachers to continue their professional growth throughout their careers, and a framework for cooperation to deal with issues that affect the teaching of English.

The Council promotes the development of literacy, the use of language to construct personal and public worlds and to achieve full participation in society, through the learning and teaching of English and the related arts and sciences of language (© 1998- 2006 National Council of Teachers of English). 

Modern Language Association of America (MLA):  Founded in 1883, the Modern Language Association of America provides opportunities for its members to share their scholarly findings and teaching experiences with colleagues and to discuss trends in the academy. MLA members host an annual convention and other meetings, work with related organizations, and sustain one of the finest publishing programs in the humanities. For over a hundred years, members have worked to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature (© 2006 Modern Language Association). 

Association for Childhood Educators International (ACEI):  Their Mission is to promote and support in the global community the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society (© 2006 by the Association for Childhood Education International). 

Alpha Upsilon Alpha – Saint Xavier University Chapter:  The purposes of the chapter are to recognize and encourage scholarship, leadership and service in the field of reading. It stimulates the interest in and understanding of research within the field and in related areas.  Membership in Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the reading/language arts Honor Society of the International Reading Association, is based upon character and the academic and professional attainment of candidates. 

Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) was founded in 1920 and is an individual membership organization devoted solely to the improvement of teacher education both for school-based and post secondary teacher educators. ATE members represent over 700 colleges and universities, over 500 major school systems, and the majority of state departments of education. The ATE office is located in the Washington DC area where it represents its members’ interests before governmental agencies and education organizations. In addition, ATE has representatives on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Holmes Partnership. 

The mission of the Association of Teacher Educators is to improve the effectiveness of teacher education through leadership in the development of quality programs to prepare teachers, by analyzing issues and practices relating to professional development, and by providing opportunities for the personal and professional growth of Association members (© 2003 Association of Teacher Educators). 

Illinois Association of Teacher Educators (IATE) “A 'teacher educator' is any individual who participates in the preparation and career development of classroom teachers”:  IATE is an organization which reaches out to teacher educators in schools at all levels from pre-school through college and post-graduate education. The Illinois ATE is a state level unit of the national Association of Teacher Educators with members from most colleges and universities with teacher preparation programs, from many public and private schools, educational consultants, students in preservice teacher education programs and members who have retired from active service as educators.

Kappa Delta Pi – Saint Xavier University Chapter:  The purpose of Kappa Delta Pi is to promote excellence in, and recognize outstanding contributions to education. It shall endeavor to maintain a high degree of professional fellowship among its members, quicken professional growth and honor achievement in educational work. Undergraduates shall have attained at least junior status with at least 12 semester hours of Professional Education courses completed. 

Phi Delta Kappa International:  The association, a dedicated advocate for the public schools, maintains an extensive network of more than 650 PDK chapters in the United States, Canada, and nations in Europe and Asia. The association publishes the Phi Delta Kappan, the most cited education journal in the United States and sponsors the annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes toward the Public Schools.  The mission of Phi Delta Kappa International is to promote high-quality education, in particular publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. This mission is accomplished through leadership, research and service in education.  (© 2006 Phi Delta Kappa International) 

Midwest Educational Research Association (MWERA): A non-profit organization of professional educational researchers primarily from states and provinces located in the mid-western region of the United States and Canada. Membership is open to teachers, administrators, graduate students, and educational researchers from any school, college, or university; from business or industry; or from governmental or private agencies and organizations. The annual dues (Jan-Dec) includes a subscription to the publication and a reduced registration fee for the conference. 

Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA): The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) is the premier advocacy organization for school administrators in the state. IASA's Mission is to support school leaders in the pursuit of educational excellence through continued school improvement.  Since 1946, the IASA has offered Illinois school administrators the opportunity to join with colleagues throughout the state to improve the quality of public education in Illinois and to maintain the high standards of their profession. 

IASA is a state-chartered association of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). The two associations work cooperatively in a number of endeavors to serve the needs of members in the local, state and national arenas. IASA members are encouraged to join the AASA and to become active members in its programs and services, but dual membership is not a requirement.

IASA offers a variety of professional enhancement and resource services to its members including professional and legal assistance, a return of dues program, newsletters and employment publications, conferences, professional development programs and networking - just to name a few!  (© 2006 Illinois Association of School Administrators) 

American Association of School Administrators (AASA)

National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA): Established in 1947, the NCPEA continues its commitment to serve the interests and needs of professors of educational administration and practicing school leaders.  NCPEA members enjoy exceptional opportunities for professional growth and development in a welcoming, supportive, and collegial environment.  NCPEA sponsors two annual profession meetings:

  1. the midwinter Conference-Within-A-Conference
  2. the summer conference held in different sections of the United States. 

Each conference is an opportunity to share findings and best practices in research, teaching, and service. NCPEA is committed to the improvement of the practice and study of education administration.  The Illinois Council of Professors of Educational Administration (ICPEA) is a state affiliate of this organization.  (© 2006 National Council of Professors of Educational Administration)  

Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO):  Founded in 1952, Illinois ASBO is an association devoted to the school business management profession. As a state association, Illinois ASBO strives to promote the standards of school business administration through a multitude of benefits provided to each and every member including:

  • Job Placement Assistance
  • Student Scholarship Opportunities
  • Access to our Web site 
  • Publications 
  • Professional Development Seminars 
  • Annual State Conference 
  • Legislative Involvement 
  • CSBO Certification Program 
  • Headquarters On-Call Support

By providing our members with the services needed to foster their professional development and leadership skills, we are attempting to improve the quality of educational programs and services through the expertise of our staff, members and volunteers. Besides promoting the highest standards of school business administration by fostering professional development and leadership skills, we pride ourselves in providing members with a comprehensive guide to the most reliable companies that provide services and products to schools throughout Illinois.

Chicago Area Directors of Student Teaching (CADST): CADST is an organization of individual Chicago-area educators and professionals dedicated to improving the preservice teaching experiences through rich collaborations among teacher preparation programs and school districts.

Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE): IACTE provides unified, visionary leadership to advance and promote learning in career and technical education.

The Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE):  The purpose of this organization is to stimulate improvement in the preparation of teachers and other educational personnel in Illinois.  IACTE is an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). Information can be obtained through the AACTE Web site or by calling (202)293 - 2450.  (© 2005 Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) 

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE): A national voluntary association of higher education institutions and other organizations and is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality preparation and continuing professional development for teachers and school leaders in order to enhance PK-12 student learning. The almost 800 institutions holding AACTE membership include private, state, and municipal colleges and universities large and small located in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. In addition, AACTE has a growing number of affiliate members, including state departments of education, community colleges, educational laboratories and centers, and foreign institutions and organizations. Collectively, the AACTE membership prepares more than two-thirds of the new teachers entering schools each year in the United States. (© 2006 American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) 

Golden Apple Foundation:  The hands that form our Golden Apple logo are symbolic of what we have become since our beginning on July 31, 1985 - a foundation embracing accomplished teachers who deserve to be honored with public accolades and encouraged with continued learning, nurturing teachers-to-be who are striving to gain a foothold in a noble profession and supporting teachers who aspire to excellence.

What began as an awards program has evolved into what we are today - an academy of expert teachers sharing experience and inspiration. We are continually optimistic and inspired by fresh ideas. We are experienced teachers who know what works in the classroom with children and what works when preparing the expert teachers those children all deserve.

Mission Statement: Because all children deserve excellent teachers, the Golden Apple Foundation advances the teaching profession by recognizing excellent teachers, leveraging their thinking and efforts to improve education, recruiting and preparing prospective teachers with a special emphasis on schools of need and providing teachers access to innovative resources.

Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT): The mission of the AECT is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship and best practices in the creation, use and management of technologies for effective teaching and learning in a wide range of settings.  (© 2004 by AECT)

Research on Women in Education (RWE): The RWE Special Interest Group was established in 1973 and has two purposes. One is to provide a structure within the American Educational Research Association for the promotion of research concerning women and girls in education. The second is to provide a mechanism to facilitate communication among researchers and practitioners who are concerned about women in education at the intersection of race, class, gender and culture. 

The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD): The Society is a multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, professional association with a membership of approximately 5,500 researchers, practitioners, and human development professionals from over 50 countries.  The purposes of the Society are to promote multidisciplinary research in the field of human development, to foster the exchange of information among scientists and other professionals of various disciplines, and to encourage applications of research findings. Our goals are pursued through a variety of programs with the cooperation and service of our governing council, standing committees and members. (© society for research in child development, 2006) 

National Council for Social Studies (NCSS): NCSS defines social studies as "the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence." Within the school program, social studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion and sociology, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics and natural sciences. In essence, social studies promotes knowledge of and involvement in civic affairs. And because civic issues--such as health care, crime, and foreign policy--are multidisciplinary in nature, understanding these issues and developing resolutions to them require multidisciplinary education. These characteristics are the key defining aspects of social studies. 

Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service and support for all social studies educators.

Founded in 1921, National Council for the Social Studies has grown to be the largest association in the country devoted solely to social studies education. NCSS engages and supports educators in strengthening and advocating social studies. With members in all the 50 states, the District of Columbia and 69 foreign countries, NCSS serves as an umbrella organization for elementary, secondary and college teachers of history, geography, economics, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology and law-related education. Organized into a network of more than 110 affiliated state, local, and regional councils and associated groups, the NCSS membership represents K-12 classroom teachers, college and university faculty members, curriculum designers and specialists, social studies supervisors and leaders in the various disciplines that constitute the social studies. 

National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE): The National Council for Geographic Education works to enhance the status and quality of geography teaching and learning. To meet its mission, the NCGE:

  • Promotes the importance and value of geographic education; 
  • Enhances the preparation of geographic educators with respect to their knowledge of content, techniques, and learning processes; 
  • Facilitates communication among teachers of geography; 
  • Encourages and supports research on geographic education; 
  • Develops, publishes, and promotes the use of curriculum, resource, and learning materials; 
  • Cooperates with other organizations that have similar goals.

(© 1998-2006, National Council for Geographic Education) 

Illinois Council for Social Studies (ICSS): ICSS was founded in 1938 in order to improve social studies teaching, to develop the professional interests of social studies instructors, and to cooperate with other organizations working for a better social understanding in the state, nation and world. ICSS provides professional development opportunities, publications and service to Illinois teachers. As an affiliate of the National Council for the Social Studies, ICSS is the professional organization for social educators in Illinois. 

Illinois Geographical Alliance “Without Geography You're Nowhere!  Dedicated to the Teaching of Geography in the State of Illinois”:  The purpose of the Illinois Geographic Alliance is to promote and enhance geographic knowledge in the schools and among the general populace of Illinois. To achieve this purpose, the Alliance maintains a strong grassroots organization of geographic educators from schools and universities, participates in educational reform at the district, state, and national levels, engages in an active program of preservice and inservice teacher education, develops curriculum materials based on the National Geography Standards and fosters public awareness of the importance of geography in our society. The IGA functions under the auspices of the Illinois Geographical Society and National Geographic Society.  Generous funding comes from the National Geographic Society and the State of Illinois. 

Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA):  LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and has over 200 state and local affiliates in 42 states and Puerto Rico. LDA's international membership of over 15,000 includes members from 27 countries around the world.

The membership, composed of individuals with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals, advocates for the almost three million students of school age with learning disabilities and for adults affected with learning disabilities.  LDA's mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities and to reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations.

LDA provides support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals.  At the national, state and local levels, LDA provides cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions and a comprehensive network of resources.  These services make the Learning Disabilities Association of America the leading resource for information on learning disabilities.

LDA believes that every person with learning disabilities can be successful at school, at work, in relationships, and in the community -- given the right opportunities.  (© 2005 LDA of America ) 

Alpha Sigma Nu continues the Jesuit tradition of scholarship, loyalty and service beyond the college years.

With the support of our members, we provide scholarships at all our members’ schools, award the prestigious ASN Book Awards each year, and now have committed our resources to alumni clubs in various cities to help our members to continue to put the Jesuit ideals to work in their own communities. 

Chi Sigma Iota is the international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators established at Ohio University in 1985.  Our mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling. 

American Counseling Association (ACA): The ACA is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.  Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. 

By providing leadership training, publications, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy services to nearly 45,000 members, ACA helps counseling professionals develop their skills and expand their knowledge base.
ACA has been instrumental in setting professional and ethical standards for the counseling profession. The association has made considerable strides in accreditation, licensure, and national certification. It also represents the interests of the profession before congress and federal agencies, and strives to promote recognition of professional counselors to the public and the media. (© 2006, American Counseling Association) 

American School Counseling Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.  ASCA provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 19,000 professional school counselors around the globe. (© 2006 American School Counselor Association) 

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) emphasizes the need for quality education and supervision of counselors in all work settings. Through the accreditation process and professional development activities, ACES strives to continue to improve the education, credentialing and supervision of counselors.

The association strives to encourage publications on current issues, relevant research, proven practices, ethical standards and conversations on related problems. Persons who are engaged in the professional preparation of counselors will find leadership through ACES.

The ultimate purpose of the Association, in accordance with the purpose of ACA, is to advance counselor education and supervision in order to improve the provision of counseling services in all settings of society. (©2005 Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. A division of the American Counseling Association)

Illinois Counseling Association (ICA)